Summary

In Chapter 9, after finishing Debbie’s pills, the narrator “bought more from Franklin at Salvation” (56). The pills helped her stop “feeling so much” (56). Without work and Debbie, she became preoccupied with the past. She thought of her mother’s illness, her father’s affairs, and her messy sisterhood. To escape these thoughts, she got high. The pills “didn’t cure” her, but let her escape (58). Ronnie soon discovered her dependency and tried to help her stop.

While Ronnie was working, the narrator went to Salvation, got pills from Franklin, and hung out with the bar patrons. After ignoring Debbie for weeks, the narrator learned from Dominic that Debbie “was in rehab” (60).

In Chapter 10, the rehab clinic called the narrator to say Debbie “was leaving early” and had named the narrator as her ride (61). The narrator “debated standing her up” (61). However, after another argument...